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If asked to name the most historic places in the county, not many people would guess Court Square in Montgomery, Alabama. It was the center of Southern economic and political power in the 19th century, and the telegram that started the Civil War was sent from the square. It was also ground zero for the Civil Rights movement.
A New City
At Court Square in 1819, the towns of New Philadelphia and East Alabama merged together to form Montgomery. The principal street of New Philadelphia, founded in 1817, was Market Street (today’s Dexter Avenue), while East Alabama, founded in 1818, was centered around Main Street (today’s Commerce Street). Montgomery was named for American Revolutionary War hero General Richard Montgomery.
Pre-Civil War
Before the Civil War, the square was the location of Montgomery’s slave markets. Slaves of all ages were auctioned there along with land and livestock. The city’s first courthouse also stood on the square, but it has been torn down along with most of the original buildings.
Winter Building
The building to the left in the photo below is the Winter Building, built in 1843. In 1861, LeRoy Pope Walker, the Confederate States Secretary of War, sent a telegram from the Winter Building to General P.G.T. Beauregard ordering him to fire on Fort Sumter, thus starting the Civil War.
Civil Rights
Rosa Parks boarded a bus at Court Square and was arrested for not giving up her seat to white passengers, kicking off one of the most important events in the Civil Rights movement. The 1965 Voting Rights March from Selma also passed through the square. Both events are commemorated with historical markers.
Court Square Fountain
In the center is the Court Square Fountain, which was erected in 1885. It stands on top of an artesian well that was used by Native Americans long before Europeans came to the area. On top of the fountain is a statue of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth.
In the Area
Court Square connects the aforementioned principal streets in Montgomery, Commerce Street and Dexter Avenue. Commerce Street leads to a few museums and historic sites. On Dexter Avenue, you can visit the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church before reaching the Alabama State Capitol. Also within a few blocks are some important Civil Rights landmarks.
